Can we be with Bee on Mars? Evaluating the Impact of a Rocket Flight on the Condition of Honeybees (Apis mellifera)

In paper the issue of a rocket flight impact and overall survivability of such flight by Apis mellifera (western honeybees) specimens is raised. Author claims that it is the key for using them on Mars for pollination in future, as this species is considered as one of the best pollinators, and should be examined before sending first human missions to the Red Planet. Rocket payload ‘BeeO!Logical’ was designed in order to conduct the research, the first of its kind worldwide. Its assumptions are presented along with overall descriptions of the experiments in two sounding rockets. Analysed data included survivability, carbon dioxide concentration values (respiration levels), temperature and humidity. It has been shown that A. mellifera specimens are able to survive the rocket flight. Project development possibilities are described, including widening the scope of the research with bumblebees (Bombus) and implementation of biocybernetic model of bee colony.